This is our acclaimed BJJ Beginner Course curriculum, available now for registration. In 16 classes over 8 weeks, you will learn the most critical concepts and techniques of the highly-effective art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a Competition/MMA as well as a Self Defense perspective. This course is designed for those with no grappling experience, so you will all learn from the ground up. Tuesdays/Thursdays from 8-9pm.

Student registration is limited to ensure safety and quality instruction.

Are you worried about your kids getting bullied at school? Try out our Youth Jiu Jitsu program. Brazillian Jiu Jitsu is the ideal martial art to protect your children against bullying, get in great shape, build great friendships and allow a path for competition if they choose to compete in tournaments!
Class times:
Tuesday: 5-6pm (Gi)
Thursday: 5-6pm (No Gi)
Saturday: 11am-12pm (Gi)

Are you looking to add some striking to your training??? Try our new Muay Thai program! Muay Thai is the most effective kicking/striking style available today. Muay Thai utilizes knees, elbows, feet and hands to make it the most lethal striking style in MMA or Self Defense.

Muay Thai is included in the Jiu JItsu and Rua Defesa memberships at no added cost!

Feb 1, 2014: UFC Star and Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar will be at Copa Jiu-Jitsu to share some of his favoite Octagon techniques and strategies.

Bonnar was the runner-up in The Ultimate Fighter, Season 1. His legendary match against Forrest Griffin is considered the most important fight in UFC history. Copa’s very own Mark “Mack the Knife” Daley was in his corner for the fight rematch in UFC 62.

Copa Jiu-Jitsu performed extraordinarily at the recent tournament put on by US Grappling. In total, the Copa Competition Team took in 9 medals and was the 3rd highest scoring school at the tournament. Those medals were instrumental in helping the Carlson Gracie Team to First Place Team honors.

On Sunday, March 3rd, 2013, 20 members of the Copa Jiu-Jitsu community jumped into the icy waters of frigid Lake Michigan. The extraordinary act was the culmination of months of fundraising for the Chicago Polar Plunge, benefiting the Special Olympics charity.

The Copa Jiu-Jitsu competition team had a successful day at the U.S. Grappling Chicago tournament, Jan. 26, in Oak Lawn, Ill., winning 15 medals, including four gold medals, seven silvers, and four bronzes. Several competitors won their first gold medals under the Copa Jiu-Jitsu banner, including blue belt Milos Petrovic and white belt Ian Lue. Congratulations to the fighters.

Copa Jiu-Jitsu placed 3rd of over 30 academies in total medal points, fueling Carlson Gracie Team to another First Place Team trophy!

We look forward to watching the Copa Jiu-Jitsu team at the 2013 IBJJF Chicago Winter Open on March 9!

See below for a complete listing of Copa Jiu-Jitsu U.S. Grappling winners.

Get a free introduction to the exhilarating sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)! Come and see why BJJ is one of the fastest growing activities in the world today.

Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitus?

It has been proven to be one of the most effective martial arts

It’s a great workout that is mentally engaging

Meet the supportive Copa Jiu-Jitsu team and community

This course is designed to empower adults (18+) that have no previous jiu-jitsu experience.

After this course, you will know::

How to turn the tables in your favor when you are attacked

How to subdue a larger or stronger opponent

Techniques to escape a bad situation

Instructor Mark “Mack the Knife” Daley holds several black belts, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, and Hapkido. He has trained Secret Service, Special Forces, and Chicago Police Department personnel. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from him today!

Copa Jiu-Jitsu provides a one-of-a-kind blend of physical conditioning and practical self-defense in a supportive and fun environment. One student chose to document his experience with our methodology over 60 days to see how quickly our system produces results. These are his unedited journal entries.

Week 3

Weight: 243 lbs

So, the weight loss slowed a bit this week. I only lost 1 pound. The diet didn’t change, but the workouts were a little lighter this week than normal (I was able to do 3 classes, but I wasn’t able to do Wednesday night, and the school was closed Saturday for the US Grappling Tournament, at which Team Mack the Knife had a great showing: 15 medals total).

As promised last week, I’ll touch on the mental aspect of not only training jiu-jitsu, but the overall lifestyle change (diet, sleep, etc.).

Copa Jiu-Jitsu provides a one-of-a-kind blend of physical conditioning and practical self-defense in a supportive and fun environment. One student chose to document his experience with our methodology over 60 days to see how quickly our system produces results. These are his unedited journal entries.

Week 2

Weight: 244lbs

As promised, I’m going to discuss how diet will play a part in the weight-loss challenge. This was tough for me, because I’m really not sure I’ve ever learned how to eat properly. As a kid, I was rail-thin, and could eat pretty much whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, and not gain an ounce. As I worked my way through my 20’s, my eating habits remained the same while my waistline expanded. Exercise helped, but it couldn’t remedy the effects of what I was putting my body through due to poor dietary
choices. I’ve tried Weight Watchers a few times, but found that the constant “point counting” and measuring was tiresome, and didn’t really change what sort of foods I was choosing to eat. I also tried several New Year’s resolution diets, where I’d do great for a week or two, making all my own rabbit food. This would ultimately end miserably when I’d return home from work after a tough day and grab my phone and credit card and order out.